Joseph m



. (NoModl.)

\ J. M. SCHNEIDER.

GATE LATCH.

ENG. 576,230. l Patented Peb. 2, 1897.

\\l ll \lll ll Il Il Il ll Il n v ll lib@ NITED y STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH M. SOI-INEIDEILVOF CANTON, OHIO, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO 4lTLlVIER HICKS, OF SAME PLACE.

GATE-LATCH.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N o. 576,280, dated February 2, 1897. Application filed fune 8,1896. Serial No. 594,664. (No model.)

To all whom t may concern.-

Be it known that I, JOSEPH M. SCHNEIDER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Canton, in the county of Stark and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Gate-Latches; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the annexed drawings, making a part of this specification, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, in which* Figure l is a view showing the latch proper and applied to a gate. Fig. 2 is a vertical section of the housing, showing said housing properly connected to a post and illustrating the gravity-ring. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the latch. Fig. 4 is a transverse vertical section of the latch, showing the gravity-ring properly attached thereto and illustrating the catch-bar in relative position. Fig. 5 is a detached perspective View of the catch-bar.

The present invention has relation to gatelatches; and it consists in the different parts and combination of parts hereinafter described, and particularly pointed out in the claim.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the iigures of the drawings.

In the accompanying drawings, A represents a gate, which is properly hinged to a post, such as a, and may be of any desired style or kind, inasmuch as the gate within itself formsno particular part of the present invention.

To the free end of the gate is attached in any convenient and well-known manner the catch-bar B, which catch-bar is provided with the curved llange or arm bsaid curved flange or arm being for the purpose hereinafter described.

The housing O is preferably formed integral with the attaching-bar cl, which bar is securely connected to the post d orits equivalent. For the purpose of providing a means for adjusting the housing O, together with the gravity-ring D, up or down the attachingbar d is provided with the elongated slots di, through which elongated slots are passed the lug-bolts e or their equivalents. The object and purpose of providing the housing C is to protect the gravity-ring D, so that its movements will not be interfered with by the accumulation of snow and ice, thereby leaving said ring free at all times and in all kinds of weather. The gravity-ring D is connected to the housing C by means of the cross pin or bar f, said cross pin or bar being located to one side of the vertical center of the housing, and is so located for the purpose of normally holding the gravity-ring D away from the attaching-bar d, thereby allowing the ring to remain in its normal position when the catchbar B is placed between the ring and the attaching-bar d, as illustrated in Fig. l.

In use, when it is desired to openV the gate, the gravity-ring D is elevated, which movement releases the catch-bar B and allows the gate A to turn upon its hinges. After the catch-bar has passed the ring D said ring will fall by its own weight until it assumes thel position illustrated in Fig. 3. As the gate is closed the catch-bar B will come in contact with the outer portion of the ring D and elevate said ring, so as to allow the catch-bar topass under the same, and when said catchbar has passed the vertical center of the ring said ring will drop downward and in front of the catch-bar. The gate will be held in a closed position by reason of the ring D coming in contact with the outer inner edge g of the housing C; but by reason of the ring D being suspended to one side of the vertical center of the housing said ring will be free to be elevated when the catch-bar presses against the outer portion of the ring.

I have illustrated the present invention as applied to gate-latches, but it will be understood that it may be applied to other devices turning upon hinges without departing from the nature of my invention.

The curved arm b is for the purpose of providing a means for pulling the gate open after the ring has been elevated, and is so located that a nger of the hand can be passed under said curved arm, which brings the finger in proper position to elevate the ring and free the gate or other device to which my improved latch may be attached.

Having fully described my invention, what IOO I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters In testimony that I claim the above I have Patent, ishereunto subscribed myname in the presence 1o .The combination of the catch-bar B, proof two Witnesses. vided with the Curved flange or arm b, the JOSEPH M. SCHNEIDER housing C, provided with the attaching bar or rib d, having the elongated slots d2, the XVitneSSeS:

ring D, and the Cross bar or pin f, all arranged I". YV. BOND, substantially as and for the purpose specified; BERTHA FINCH. 

